Ram Problems...

Sorry about the trouble you're having with your ram. I agree, you've got to nip it in the bud right away, but it might not be too late if you get serious with him. Don't let him treat you like another sheep - you think he was ramming the rock you held, but he thinks he was ramming you. And winning. The halter training is good, if my ram seems a bit stupid when I need to go in with him, I'll take a lead rope and put it around his neck and lead him with me.

Folks here told me to get my ram down on the ground and hold him there till he stopped struggling, if he made any aggressive moves toward me (even if he only rushed me and stopped short of actual contact - that's still aggression). I've had to do it a time or three (or more). Don't let him up till he's quite still, and even then, don't fully turn your back on him (although I do not walk away from him by backing up, to me he may interpret that as aggression on my part, as a sheep will back up before they charge and ram).

There is something called a ram shield I have read about, have never used it but you might check into it. It keeps the ram from seeing directly in front of him. If you use it be careful, as the Storey Guide to Raising Sheep said it puts him at a disadvantage so it's not something you can just leave on.

Good luck - @purplequeenvt might have some advice, too, she was quite helpful with Elding.

norseofcourse said:

Folks here told me to get my ram down on the ground and hold him there till he stopped struggling, if he made any aggressive moves toward me (even if he only rushed me and stopped short of actual contact - that's still aggression). I've had to do it a time or three (or more). Don't let him up till he's quite still, and even then, don't fully turn your back on him (although I do not walk away from him by backing up, to me he may interpret that as aggression on my part, as a sheep will back up before they charge and ram).

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I totally agree with putting the ram on the ground.

How big is L J?

I fully agree with what's already been said. If you want to keep him,he has to be shown who is boss. Most rams will submit to you as alpha if you can pull them down to the ground. I have big rams. They weigh a lot more than me, and I'm not very strong. So...act as though you are the boss unless you can wrestle him to the ground. NEVER turn your back on him if he is starting to behave 'rammish'.

Any head butt or threat to head butt ( and then turn away) should be thwarted by a sharp tap on the nose with a stick and a loud 'No!'.....not designed to really hurt the ram, but to surprise/shock him. Rams usually stop at this,but and repeat of the performance should be followed by another sharp tap and 'No' . I often then chase after the ram and tap his rump with the stick, but your safety must come first.

Caught unawares last summer by a huge ram, I had no stick. I slapped him with the flat of my hand and shouted 'No'. He turned back and was clearly thinking about another charge, so I advanced a few steps and shouted 'No'. It worked.....huge relief....and my hand was stinging for quite a while....

I now have 5 intact rams who are huge and respectful. No 6 was never going to be trustworthy....so he went off to market (someone else's freezer...I don't eat meat).

I got home yesterday after work and he was still munching away. He came running to me, but didn't try to head but me at all But then again, I keep the pitchfork w me.

I let him hangout in the yard while I fixed the fence and did some other chores. He pretty much left me alone, other than running to me a few times. Never got aggressive, would just stand next to me for a few minutes, then run away and go munch again.

The brat fit his fat ass under the fence in a spot about the size a cat could fit through. I Put a ton of tent stakes through the fence and into the ground, so crossing fingers that works.

At one point he decided that he is patriotic, he actually jumped from the front yard, over that rock wall (3-4 feet high) and onto my porch.
.

TAH said:

How big is L J?

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me or the ram?

Im guessing he is a good 200 lbs. Since he doesn't have horns, not sure I can get him down. I do what has been suggested (standing up to him, smack on the nose if he attempts a headbutt etc). I will keep working with him.

Really appreciate all the feedback!~

L J said:

me or the ram?

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The ram. What breed is he? He looks like a hair sheep from the pic.

There are tricks you can use that don't require horns. If he comes at you, wait till he's almost on you then side step and move along side him. at that point you can either

1. Reach over his back at the shoulder/withers and grab the opposite front leg down around knee level with your lead hand and a bunch of belly fur with the rear hand and lift while pushing against him with both knees. Those legs should come right out from under him (away from you) and he'll be on his side with his back toward you. Place your knee on his neck and your body on top of his and hold on for all you're worth. Don't let him back up until he completely stops struggling.

2. Reach UNDER his chest and grab the opposite front leg with your lead hand (or both hands if you need to) and pull in toward you and toward the back while pushing against him trying to move him to the side and forward. Even if he tries to back up, the leg you have will block his other front leg from going back, so he'll have no choice but to fall over, with you on top of him. Again, get his head down and your knee on his neck and you on top of him, and don't let him up till he completely stops struggling.

Good luck!

The way I flip my Billy goat is I grab both the opposite legs of me and then flip.

TAH said:

The ram. What breed is he? He looks like a hair sheep from the pic.

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Yes, he is a Katahdin/black belly Barbados cross, blowing his coat now. Looks like a buffalo

I haven't offciallty weighed him, I'm guessing 200? Maybe 250